The Shift towards Web Application Development

As consumer expectations continue to change, so must the various enterprise strategies required to attract, engage and retain customers. In the past, an informative website and a responsive call center were considered cutting edge and all a company needed to provide its customers. Today, consumers demand more. Much more. They want to connect with a brand, conduct their business, get their information and move on – with the touch of a button and with as little friction as possible.

The mobile app is still popular (there were 197 billion mobile app downloads in 2017), but an even simpler way for consumers to interact with brands is found via web application development. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are the newest shift. These apps provide a mobile-like experience with the benefits of instant accessibility. PWAs are accessible via the browser, there’s no need to complete multiple steps to use it, such as going to the app store and downloading the app, continually updating the app or sacrificing memory to support it.

Web application development companies are racing to the front lines to help organizations capitalize on the benefits. They promise to bring organizations into the next-gen software development, but are their services worth the investment?

Custom Web Application Development Considerations

Before you make a decision on whether a custom web application development strategy should be on your radar, consider the following drivers:

You Can’t Stop Change

As Heraclitus so poignantly said, “The only thing that is constant is change.” Love it or despise it, change is a fact of life – and technology. Convenience and simplicity are driving the shift from mobile apps to web apps. Web applications deliver both. Either jump on board or be left behind.

Your Customers Are (or Will) Demanding It

Your customers are experiencing the benefits of web apps from other brands. If they haven’t already asked for it from you or migrated to your competitor, chances are they will. Forbes went so far as to say progressive web apps will replace native mobile apps altogether.

It Can Simplify Your Strategy

Companies are already seeing the benefits of solid web application development and are questioning whether a native mobile app is even necessary. Because many consumers are reluctant to download native apps, eliminating them for a better alternative is an attractive option to reduce development and resource costs.

A Good Experience Is Critical

Of course, transitioning to a progressive web app means companies must provide the best user experience possible. Mobile websites don’t always have the best reputation for offering a mobile app-like experience. Companies must think like a mobile app but deliver a web-like experience. It can be done but requires a web application development company who knows what they’re doing. By placing the customer at the forefront, a web application can deliver both functionality and a positive user experience.